To determine the tolerance of HIV-infected patients to TID oral doses of FIAU syrup at 4 different dose levels. To determine the peak and trough blood levels of FIAU and its metabolites during two weeks of oral dosing with FIAU.

The pyrimidine nucleoside analog FIAC and its primary deaminated uracil metabolite FIAU are highly and specifically active compounds in vitro against several herpes group viruses, particularly herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, varicella zoster (VZV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV), as well as hepatitis B virus (HBV). Since FIAU is the primary metabolite of FIAC and the administration of FIAU simplifies the metabolism of FIAC, it is anticipated from clinical studies of FIAC that FIAU will be tolerated at least as well as FIAC. A single-dose, pharmacokinetic (blood level) study showed that FIAC, when taken orally, is readily absorbed into the bloodstream, and most of it is converted to FIAU. Daily oral doses are expected to provide concentrations of FIAU exceeding the in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration for nearly all the herpes group viruses.

Further study details as provided by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID):

Estimated Enrollment:

78

Study Completion Date:

February 1993

Detailed Description:

The pyrimidine nucleoside analog FIAC and its primary deaminated uracil metabolite FIAU are highly and specifically active compounds in vitro against several herpes group viruses, particularly herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, varicella zoster (VZV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV), as well as hepatitis B virus (HBV). Since FIAU is the primary metabolite of FIAC and the administration of FIAU simplifies the metabolism of FIAC, it is anticipated from clinical studies of FIAC that FIAU will be tolerated at least as well as FIAC. A single-dose, pharmacokinetic (blood level) study showed that FIAC, when taken orally, is readily absorbed into the bloodstream, and most of it is converted to FIAU. Daily oral doses are expected to provide concentrations of FIAU exceeding the in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration for nearly all the herpes group viruses.

HIV-infected patients with Karnofsky scores at least 80 (with or without documented recurrent herpes group infections) are successively entered into consecutively studied, escalating dose cohorts. There are a total of 4 dose cohorts of FIAU and each patient takes the required amount of FIAU syrup every 8 hours, 1 hour prior to or 3 hours after meals, for a total of 14 days. Entry of new patients at the next higher dose is based on results of tolerance and safety data for prior cohort when all 10 have received 14 days of therapy and at least 7 have met all of the tolerance criteria. Although not formally randomized due to the sequential nature of the study and serious medical condition of the patients, every attempt to avoid bias in assigning a patient to a dose is made. Patients are entered starting with the first dose cohort. Upon meeting the enrollment and tolerance criteria for dose escalation, up to 5 patients with a history of chronic HBV infection and surface antigen positive at their screening visit are added to the end of each dose cohort. Plasma samples are taken to determine peak and trough levels of FIAU at Days 1, 3, 7, and 14 or at last visit. Patients with ongoing active infections are followed by culture (HSV, VZV and CMV) or test (HBV) at Days 1, 3, 7, and 14. Antiemetic therapy with Reglan, Compazine, and Trilafon is given concomitantly at the discretion of the investigator and tolerance determined with antiemetic therapy ongoing. Patients are advised to avoid heavy exercise within 24 hours of any laboratory tests.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

13 Years to 65 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Allowed:

Pentamidine aerosol for prophylaxis of recurrent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients currently receiving such treatment.

Zidovudine (AZT).

Prior Medication:

Allowed:

Zidovudine (AZT) but only if patient has been taking the drug for > 6 weeks at a dose = or < 600 mg/day, and had < 10 percent decrease in hematocrit, neutrophils, and platelets in the last 30 days.

Patients must:

Have a diagnosis of HIV infection by ELISA or Western blot. Be able to participate as an outpatient.

The screening tests must be initiated and completed within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of FIAU, except for diagnostic herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster (VZV), or cytomegalovirus (CMV) cultures which may have been done previously.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00000654